Do I have the talent to run sub 4:00?

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2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:30am EDT

I’m a sophomore in college who used to run in high school. I have an 800m PR of 1:59 and 1600m PR of 4:27 when I was a sophomore in high school(16). I also ran a 9:29 3200 junior year of HS in the winter but Covid screwed up the spring so I never got a chance to run the 1600 and 800 again fully trained(injured senior year winter). I ran a 400 in about 54 seconds senior year after I had run a mile earlier. Curious about whether or not people think I could have the talent to break 4 in the mile? I’m still a decent weight and I’ve been lifting in college.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 3:21am EDT

re: Beefjuurky

Beefjuurky wrote:
I’m a sophomore in college who used to run in high school. I have an 800m PR of 1:59 and 1600m PR of 4:27 when I was a sophomore in high school(16). I also ran a 9:29 3200 junior year of HS in the winter but Covid screwed up the spring so I never got a chance to run the 1600 and 800 again fully trained(injured senior year winter). I ran a 400 in about 54 seconds senior year after I had run a mile earlier. Curious about whether or not people think I could have the talent to break 4 in the mile? I’m still a decent weight and I’ve been lifting in college.

No ones knows but you. If you get half way there that's amazing. Good luck.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 3:26am EDT

re: Beefjuurky

I see no evidence that you have the talent to break 4. But I see only a little evidence that you don’t. The odds are very much against you though. You could probably get down to 4:10 or so, with a lot of effort.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 3:59am EDT

re: Beefjuurky

No chance. Keep your expectations realistic.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 12:06pm EDT

re: Beefjuurky

Beefjuurky wrote:
I’m a sophomore in college who used to run in high school. I have an 800m PR of 1:59 and 1600m PR of 4:27 when I was a sophomore in high school(16). I also ran a 9:29 3200 junior year of HS in the winter but Covid screwed up the spring so I never got a chance to run the 1600 and 800 again fully trained(injured senior year winter). I ran a 400 in about 54 seconds senior year after I had run a mile earlier. Curious about whether or not people think I could have the talent to break 4 in the mile? I’m still a decent weight and I’ve been lifting in college.

Possibly. If you train and race as well as the best. But this opinion will p!ss a lot of posters off.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 12:20pm EDT

re: Beefjuurky

I think sub 4 is easier than most people think (as in only a small percentage of runners can do it) especially with todays shoes when it comes to recovery from training. The reason most runners do not run that fast is they don't understand their training and/or can't string together 5-10 years of consistent training (injuries, lack of interest, etc).

If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).

2 years ago 04/05/2023 12:33pm EDT

re: Seiler's left nut

Seiler\'s left nut wrote:
I think sub 4 is easier than most people think (as in only a small percentage of runners can do it) especially with todays shoes when it comes to recovery from training. The reason most runners do not run that fast is they don't understand their training and/or can't string together 5-10 years of consistent training (injuries, lack of interest, etc).
If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).

Nonsense. He has no chance of breaking 4:00.

There was a thread the other day about runners being upset because they couldn’t achieve unrealistic goals but here you are claiming the OP can sleep and diet his way to 4:00.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 12:41pm EDT

re: SDSU Aztec

SDSU Aztec wrote:
Seiler\'s left nut wrote:
I think sub 4 is easier than most people think (as in only a small percentage of runners can do it) especially with todays shoes when it comes to recovery from training. The reason most runners do not run that fast is they don't understand their training and/or can't string together 5-10 years of consistent training (injuries, lack of interest, etc).
If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).
Nonsense. He has no chance of breaking 4:00.
There was a thread the other day about runners being upset because they couldn’t achieve unrealistic goals but here you are claiming the OP can sleep and diet his way to 4:00.

How the heck would you know?

2 years ago 04/05/2023 1:06pm EDT

re: Maybe ..

Maybe .. wrote:
SDSU Aztec wrote:
Nonsense. He has no chance of breaking 4:00.
There was a thread the other day about runners being upset because they couldn’t achieve unrealistic goals but here you are claiming the OP can sleep and diet his way to 4:00.
How the heck would you know?

He won’t and MLB isn’t going to happen either.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 1:11pm EDT

re: Seiler's left nut

Seiler\'s left nut wrote:
I think sub 4 is easier than most people think (as in only a small percentage of runners can do it) especially with todays shoes when it comes to recovery from training. The reason most runners do not run that fast is they don't understand their training and/or can't string together 5-10 years of consistent training (injuries, lack of interest, etc).
If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).

If his 400 PR from limited attempts in high school is 54 and he wants to run a fast mile, he should work on getting down to 50-52 seconds rather than trying to run a 2:09 marathon, or whatever you’re suggesting. He doesn’t need 100+ mile weeks for years.

OP: let’s be honest, it’s unlikely you have the talent - but we can’t rule it out. Don’t commit to training in order to break 4. Commit to training to run as fast as you can and see how low that takes you.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 1:12pm EDT

re: SDSU Aztec

SDSU Aztec wrote:
MLB isn’t going to happen either.

WTF you talkin' 'bout, Willis? MLB *is* happening--Opening Day was March 30th!

2 years ago 04/05/2023 1:24pm EDT

re: Beefjuurky

No one can know if You have talent. You just need to train and see Yourself.

Start with getting 49-50s 400m time. In proper race, not relay.

This post was edited 12 seconds after it was posted.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 1:30pm EDT

re: lvrhs1992

Train because it’s what you want to do. Your only goal in life is to be the best version of yourself. Also be grateful for the times you have been able to achieve. I’m sure there’s plenty of kids around the nation who would love to have those PR’s. It’s all about perspective.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:01pm EDT

re: lvrhs1992

lvrhs1992 wrote:
No one can know if You have talent. You just need to train and see Yourself.
Start with getting 49-50s 400m time. In proper race, not relay.

He doesn't need 49 - 50 speed to break 4, he has the endurance potential to maybe do it on 51-52.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:09pm EDT

re: Maybe ..

You won't know unless you try.

I ran 57, 2:02, 4:37, and 9:57 in high school and broke 4 and 14 in college. People would have said no chance about me either.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:09pm EDT

re: Maybe ..

Maybe .. wrote:
lvrhs1992 wrote:
No one can know if You have talent. You just need to train and see Yourself.
Start with getting 49-50s 400m time. In proper race, not relay.
He doesn't need 49 - 50 speed to break 4, he has the endurance potential to maybe do it on 51-52.

Where he has shown that he has outstanding endurance?

Even sub14 5k runner with 51 speed coudn't break 4.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:11pm EDT

re: lea

lea wrote:
SDSU Aztec wrote:
MLB isn’t going to happen either.
WTF you talkin' 'bout, Willis? MLB *is* happening--Opening Day was March 30th!

So is the PCL. Last night, the Chihuahuas were here in Sacramento and we saw Fernando Tatis Jr play.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:14pm EDT

re: John Wesley Harding

John Wesley Harding wrote:
Seiler\'s left nut wrote:
I think sub 4 is easier than most people think (as in only a small percentage of runners can do it) especially with todays shoes when it comes to recovery from training. The reason most runners do not run that fast is they don't understand their training and/or can't string together 5-10 years of consistent training (injuries, lack of interest, etc).
If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).
If his 400 PR from limited attempts in high school is 54 and he wants to run a fast mile, he should work on getting down to 50-52 seconds rather than trying to run a 2:09 marathon, or whatever you’re suggesting. He doesn’t need 100+ mile weeks for years.
OP: let’s be honest, it’s unlikely you have the talent - but we can’t rule it out. Don’t commit to training in order to break 4. Commit to training to run as fast as you can and see how low that takes you.

That’s the problem. To run 4:00, both strength and good top-end speed, or needed. There have been thousands and thousands of 50-52 guys that didn’t get anywhere near 4:00.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:18pm EDT

re: Seiler's left nut

Seiler's left nut wrote:
If you can run a 54 sec 400m, you need to be in approximately 2:09 marathon shape to run 4 flat. Do you want to put in the 100+ mile weeks for years while maintaining or improving your speed in order to gain the endurance required? Will you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, make sure you eat in a caloric surplus (or maintain at lowest), run 60 - 120 min/day, do accessory exercises/weights, etc? Running is aerobic and the vast amount of runners ignore that. I am not saying anyone can run sub 4, but a heck of a lot of people can run a 54 sec 400m and you don't need much faster if you're really dedicated (and have the right coach for you).

If my guys needed to be in marathon shape to run 4 laps around a track we would be absolutely screwed.

2 years ago 04/05/2023 2:21pm EDT

re: SDSU Aztec

SDSU Aztec wrote:
That’s the problem. To run 4:00, both strength and good top-end speed, or needed. There have been thousands and thousands of 50-52 guys that didn’t get anywhere near 4:00.

Well duh. But the idea that with 54 second 400 speed he needs to reach 2:09 marathon endurance (i.e. way better than a sub-4 performance) on 100+ mpw in order to hit his sub-4 goal is a joke of a strategy. Better to work on 400 speed on 40 mpw than to accept 54 as your max and start marathon training is all I’m saying—even if the “ideal” and the way someone actually breaks 4 is typically somewhere in between.

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